District News

Lincoln Square's Broadway Mall Public Art Project

Oct 3, 2018

Locals and visitors will soon be able to enjoy even more culture while crossing through the Lincoln Square neighborhood. Partnering with the American Folk Art Museum, we will be painting several Broadway Mall barriers throughout the neighborhood as part of an effort to beautify Lincoln Square and offer more public art to residents, workers, and all who come to enjoy the area.

Titled "Folk Art on the Broadway Malls", this new initiative is part of the Lincoln Square BID's signature and ongoing Streetscape and Beautification program and is organized in cooperation with NYC Parks’ public art program Art in the Parks. The project involves community-based, temporary public art inspired by textile works from the American Folk Art Museum's permanent collection and will consist of 7 stencil painted murals on the interior walls of Broadway Mall barriers between 60th and 70th Streets. Mural locations include: 60th Street (the "gateway" to the Malls), 63rd Street (both sides), 64th Street (northern side), 67th Street (both sides), and 70th Street (south side, the BID's northern boundary).

The barrier murals will alternate between two original designs created by graphic designers Dresser Johnson. The first mural is based on a flower basket depicted in Baskets Quilt, artist unknown, c. 1850-1860, symbolizing the open public space of the community (pictured above). The second mural is based on a tree motif found in the Applique Bedcover piece, a quilt created by Sarah Ann Garges of Pennsylvania, in 1853, symbolizing the warmth of the neighborhood.

The painting will take place on Friday, October 12 between 9:30am and 5:00pm. We will be working with New York Cares volunteers and the American Folk Art Museum to execute the project, but are also looking for anyone else who might be interested in helping us bring more art to Lincoln Square. If you'd like to pitch in, please contact us at info@lincolnsquarebid.org or (212) 581-3774.